Monday, January 4, 2016

The observance of this fast for different places on the globe is as follows:

1)
for USA, Canada, West Indies, and other countries in American
Continent, those living in United Kingdom, and countries in Europe - January 5, 2016

2) For those living in Gulf countries - January 5, 2016.
3) For those living in India, and countries to the east of India - January 6, 2016 (this is because of atiriktha Ekaadasi - where Ekaadasi exists for the whole day on January 5, 2016, but also extends for some time after sunrise on January 6, 2016, ideal fasting day for householders would be January 2016 in India and other countries to the East of India. Ascetics should fast on both January 5th and January 6th - unless specific traditions/ Guru vaakya ordain otherwise for them. People with intense spiritual perspectives/ goals can also fast on both days, and if the fast is undertaken for only one day, it should be ideally on January 6, 2016 - for those living in India and other nations to the east of India).

Glory of Saphala Ekaadashi

This
is mentioned in Brahmaanda Purana. Fasting on Saphala Ekaadashi will
help in cleansing all sins committed earlier, and also helps in
attaining fame in this life.

Lumbaka
- the son of a king was always questioning the authority of Lord
Vishnu, and due to this irreverent attitude, he was exiled from the
kingdom. He continued with his irreverential attitude, and added to that
began plundering the wealth of poor villagers. He took his abode
beneath a banyan tree, started killing animals, and began eating raw
meat. (The legend purports to describe that the king's son had fallen
into sinful ways that will add severely to karmic account).

Once,
he fell ill on a particular day and hence could not partake his usual
meals (of raw meat!); he also remained awake all night due to his
sickness. As the day was Saphala Ekaadashi fast day, he had unknowingly
followed the vrat! The next day he felt better and intuitively realized
that this was all due to Grace of Lord Vishnu. He realized his mistake,
returned to his father with a repentant attitude, and lived happily
thereafter.

Such
is the glory of the Saphala Ekaadashi - even a person who unknowingly
kept that fast could gain Grace of Shri Vishnu. So, what to speak of the
Holy and Pious persons who undertake this fast with full faith and with
Divine Contemplation? Is it not obvious that Heavenly glory is open to those who undertake this auspicious Saphala Ekaadashi Fast?

Special austerities recommended in connection with this ekaadasi:

1)
Offer Pomegranate, guava, variety of nuts, coconut, betel leaves, areca
nuts, mangoes, and aromatic spices (like cloves, cardamom, etc.) in
Honour of Lord Aadhi Naaraayana (The Original Viraat Roopa of Shriman
Naaraayana - with His Consort Lakshmi on His Breast and mounted on Shri
Garuda, and carrying His Divine Conch and Disc with Full Glory) on this
day. You can partake these items as prasad on dwaadasi day if you are
keeping a full fast; those who are only observing partial fast (just
abstaining from whole-grains and beans) may partake these in lieu of
regular diet.

2)
Light a ghee lamp in Honour of Lord Naraayana and Goddess Lakshmi in
your pooja place and recite the Holy Ashtaakshari (Om NamO
Naaraayanaaya) as many times as possible. Recital of Naaraayana Sooktham
and Purushasooktham can also be done by those who are intiated into
these vedic hymns.

A
full-night vigil is also recommended. Those who cannot maintain a
full-night vigil may at least recite Shriman Naaraayana naama as many
times as possible and sleep with Divine Thought.